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Lough Corrib Walk

15.16 miles (24.4 km)

Open Streetmap This walk visits Lough Corrib in County Galway. The expansive body of water is notable as the largest lake within the Republic of Ireland.
The walk begins in the town of Oughterard at the south western end of the lake. From here you can pick up a section of the long distance Western Way and follow the waymarked footpath north west. This will take you along the lough and past the Derroura Forest which lies to the south of the water. On the way there are great views across the lough to its hundreds of islands and beyond to the surrounding mountains.
The route finishes at the north western end of the lake where it joins with the Belan Na Brock River and the Failmore River.
To continue your walking in the area head south and try the Oughterard Wind Farm Walk. The scenic circular walk explores the expansive Galway Wind Park, Ireland's largest on shore windfarm.
You could also head further south to Galway where you can pick up the Galway River Corrib Walk. The River Corrib connects the lake to the sea at Galway.
At the northern end of the lake there's the wonderful Ashford Castle. The medieval/Victorian castle includes beautiful grounds, riverside trails and a popular hawk walk.

Lough Corrib Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Head south and you could visit Barna Woods. The lovely woods are located to the west of Galway in the coastal village of Barna. You can also enjoy coastal walks along the pretty Rusheen Bay and Silverstrand Beach here as well.
To the north there's the climb to Mount Gable where you can enjoy some wonderful views back down to the lough.

Photos

Lough Corrib-An Choirib near Coosaun - geograph.org.uk - 1259118

 Lough Corrib/An Choirib near Coosaun. Looking across the Lough towards Inishlannaun/Inis Fhlannain from the churchyard of Our Lady of the Valley Church. The lough is some 25 miles long and 7 miles across at its widest point.

Lough Corrib-An Choirib near Shannawagh - geograph.org.uk - 1255383

The wide expanse of Lough Corrib divides this region of Ireland into two distinct parts. In the east stretch limestone plains where sheep and cattle graze in rich pasture and the villages are compact and picturesque. To the west are hills covered with untameable bog, and a loose chain of villages which straggles along the shore of Galway Bay. This is Iarconnaught, an important centre for the Irish language.

Grazing land near Farravaun - geograph.org.uk - 1259185

Grazing land near Farravaun

Oughterard Pier on Lough Corrib - geograph.org.uk - 827832

Oughterard Pier on Lough Corrib

Lough Corrib-An Choirib near Burrusheen-Barr Roisin - geograph.org.uk - 1262911

Lough Corrib-An Choirib near Burrusheen-Barr Roisin

Lough Corrib-An Choirib near Shannawagh - geograph.org.uk - 1255358

Lough Corrib/An Choirib near Shannawagh. The road along this part of the lough ends near this pier. The Western Way continues as a track. I think the island is called Doon Rock and it is one of the large islands within the lough.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Lough Corrib.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)